DJ Premier Creates Backdrop For Torii Wolf’s New Single, ‘1st’

While DJ Premier (a.k.a. Preemo) has previously collaborated with iconic female artists such as Macy Gray, Janet Jackson, Yuna, and Christina Aguilera, in none of the aforementioned examples has the iconic producer/DJ entirely produced one of their projects.

Enter Torii Wolf, a singer-songwriter and musician from Wantagh, New York who traded coasts–bouncing around West Coast cities and enhanced herself artistically; shunning categories, confinement, and convention. Torii also just happens to be the first female artist to have her entire project (the forthcoming album entitled Flow Riiot) produced by Preemo.

Wolf’s first single, the aptly-titled, “1st,” a war-torn and wistful ode to unrequited love and commitment that ultimately leaves more questions than answers, as she ponders “what does it take to keep you from running away.”

“Torii has such a weird, wicked style,” Premier offers. “It’s just very left field—reminiscent of a Bjork or something like that. She is so unique and versatile; she writes, sings and is an accomplished guitarist and drummer. But image-wise, there is no comparison. Subject-wise, Torii is in a whole different place.”

Digging into his past catalog, Premier reshuffles the deck on a Rakka Iriscience vocal sample from his “Good As Gone” production from Dilated Peoples Directors Of Photography album to create another spellbinding scratch-chorus, “I’ve seen the last come first, I’ve seen the first last.”